We've all had our hearts broken by cosmetics. We fall in love with a product only to have the manufacturer yank it away, leaving us crying into our pillows.

But all hope might not be lost. Local makeup experts suggest contacting the company to ask whether it has the product in back stock or as part of a "gone but not forgotten" program. You can also search websites such as eBay or Amazon. (Click here for more tips.)

For 50 years, I wore Max Factor's pancake makeup. Contrary to popular thinking, pancake was not heavy, and it stayed fresh all day. The colors were beautiful; I was complimented often, and the shade I wore was Candlelight Glow.

My friends and I (now in our 70s) were considered sophisticates in our day, and we are all so unhappy with today's "yellow" makeups and stringy hair.

I know every generation thinks the look of their youth was special. However, who can deny that Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and others of that era are striking compared to today's sloppy or shocking presentations?

-- Nancy Siegfried, North Olmsted

Readers to the rescue

Do you know where to find one of the items these women are longing for? Tell us where in the comments section below, email us or drop a note to Emily Hamlin Smith, Style Editor, 1801 Superior Ave., Cleveland, OH 44114.

If we could reprise an item that gals loved in the '70s, it'd be a cake (yes, cake!) eyeliner from Aziza. Dampen the fine-point sable brush in a drop of water and then twirl it on the black or brown color, just like artists' watercolors, to create a smooth, saturated line. Make an error and it could be erased easily. It lasted all day without smearing and was affordable.

-- Heather Burdette, Lakewood

If only Olay would return to making its Olay mascara/makeup remover that came in a 4.5-ounce tube. It didn't run into your eyes, it did the job gently, and a tube went a long, long way. Now it makes makeup-removing cloths that are inefficient (way too big for my needs), use up trees (or something for the cloth) and -- at a cloth per day -- won't last anywhere nearly as long. I begged them, I really did, to reconsider. No luck, so I vastly overpaid on the Internet for three tubes, but when those are gone, you may well see me walking downtown with raccoon eyes. Trust me, you really want them to bring back that tube.

I wish Avon would bring back its moisturizer Roses, Roses. I like the scent of roses, but for some reason it's not easy to find a moisturizer in the scent of roses.

-- Angela Kisley, Mentor

FOUND:Bonanza.com and ebay.com (though we must caution against using the lotion because the bottles are about 35 years old)

Clinique used to make a Chubby Stick that was a thick, creamy lipstick liner that also filled in very well. It came in the perfect shade and lasted without drying. They have come out recently with a product of the same name, but it's a glossy product that doesn't work the same at all. The other product I miss is a line from Bath & Body Works called Breathe Comfort, which was a very soft vanilla fragrance that had lotion, cream, etc. Just an easy scent to wear and it did give "comfort."

Years ago, M.A.C. had a beautiful shade of purple lipstick called Sobe. I wish it would come back. It is the truest shade of purple I have been able to find. And it was a matte, so it stayed on a long time.

-- Meryl Johnson, Cleveland

The biggest irritation is OPI, which incessantly drops popular colors -- no one knows why. My three biggest losses are Honeymoon Sweet, Day at the Peach and Hong Kong Sunrise.

There are some products that are impossible to find in stores, but they still seem to be made. Among them are Arm & Hammer Ultramax Powder Fresh roll-on deodorant and L'Oreal Age Perfect sheer tint moisturizer. When I realized I could no longer easily find them at Target, CVS or Bed Bath & Beyond, I ordered multiples of them from a vendor on Amazon.

When I realize a company has discontinued a product, I go on eBay and stock up.

Aveda had a product called Shimmer + Color, which was a liquid that came in two colors -- my favorite was Universal Glow. It really did give a "glow" to the skin when applied over foundation and before blush. I'm surprised they wouldn't bring it back since so many cosmetic products now advertise shimmer and shine in their descriptions.

I have tried for several years to find something comparable (at any and all price points) but haven't been successful.

I wonder if any salons or stores have any in their vault!?

-- Sue Cameron, Aurora

I am really missing Max Factor lipstick. I miss Rose Quartz and Pink Gold. I would love to know a brand that is as creamy as Max Factor was, with the same staying power!

-- Tillie McMullen, Brecksville

Ted Crow, The Plain Dealer

What would I bring back? Clinique's Happy in Bloom perfume. I absolutely loved the scent, and every time I used to wear it (until I ran out), I received all sorts of wonderful compliments.

It discontinued a while ago, but to my surprise, I found out that it was brought back for "a short time only" this summer. I was so excited to be able to get my favorite scent once again, until I went online and no matter where I looked, it was out of stock. I even called up all of the major department stores in the Cleveland area and was told that the relaunch was so successful that it flew off the shelves. I checked with Macy's, Dillard's, Nordstrom, Ulta and Sephora -- by phone, in person and online. Each time, the answer was the same. The minute the perfume hit the shelves, it was gone.

Now wouldn't you think that if a product was this popular that they would make more of it?

I'd love to see Almay offer a discontinued lip color called Sequin. It is one of their one-coat lip covers. The number 42 appears on the sticker, along with 220.

-- Sue Hawk, Strongsville

Origins makes a product called Just Browsing, which of course is for eyebrows. They still produce this product; however, I used to buy it in black (not sure of the exact wording referencing their color black), but it is not available anymore in black -- just in blond and brown. I have such dark hair and eyebrows, brown looks terrible because you can see my almost-black eyebrows through the brown color. It's such a great product -- it adds some color and has an agent to keep your eyebrows perfect all day long. I really miss my color by Origins!

The one I have been longing for years to see return is Rhubarb Poppy lipstick from Clinique. I wore this shade for over 15 years because it is so incredible. Now I have an everyday color and a going-out color. Rhubarb Poppy was always right for everything! I keep emailing their website to bring it back; maybe it will return someday.

The best thing I have ever used -- and since I'm 67 years old, I have used a lot of things -- is Ultima Under Makeup Moisture Lotion Mauve Tint. When I found out it was going to be discontinued (more than 10 years ago), I ordered 10 bottles from some department store down South. I have 11/2 bottles left. It provides the best coverage and evens out skin tones, and its consistency is a little thicker than water. I have taken a sample of it into department stores and Sephora to see if they have anything similar to it, and the answer is always NO. All the current under-makeup moisture lotions are either the wrong consistency or the color is terrible. I don't have to wear foundation when I use this -- it is just wonderful.

-- Sharon Werner

I have been waiting for years for Lancome to reissue its lipstick #320 Rose Voltage. The color is fantastic, and it glides on ever so smoothly. If they ever bring this back, I will snap up as many tubes as I can! At the very least, can't they market a lipstick close in color? It can't be that out of date!

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